However, instead, the German-born star shunned those advances and signed with AEW last month instead. 
 

Instantly aligning himself with former running buddies Clark Connors and Gabe Kidd, the trio are now known as the War Dogs and ready to make their mark on AEW in the same way they'd dominated together in Japan. 

But what made Finlay make the difficult choice of making AEW his new home? 

"I feel like I have already beaten everybody in Japan," Finlay exclusivly tells DAZN News.

"And, you know, almost everybody had beaten me in return. We've all done both sides of the dance. So, it's a lot of fresh meat for me and AEW, some old rivals.

"I mean, the appeal to AEW on a personal level is that there are new championships to win. There are new people to beat up. You know, it's something fresh. 

"I was in New Japan for 11 years. I've done damn near everything you can do. So, you know, it's time for a change." 

Speaking in the sunshine ahead of AEW's next big PPV, Dynasty on Sunday - a show you can watch exclusively on DAZN - the 32-year-old is open about his latest life choice and going out on his own rather than joining his family ties elsewhere.

"The choice is pretty easy for me", he admits 

"I've obviously got family ties and another company. But it was the option to work with my boys, work with the Dogs, which we've been doing for the past three years.

"And when it came down to it, I haven't made a single dime with my brother, I haven't made a single dime with my dad. And, you know, in Japan, we already made fat stacks of cash together. So the choice is very, very, very easy for me."

Finlay and his boys haven't wasted any time in making an impact either. Immediately targeting some of AEW's most revered names in Orange Cassidy and Derby Allin. 

It's a surefire way to make a statement in a new company, with Cassidy and Allin two of the most popular faces in the company, which for Finlay was the clear reason, he and 'his boys' set their sights on them as the first act in what they hope to be another dominant run - and Finlay is quite clear in that fact. 

"The reason why I came in and immediately went after OC, and Darby Allin was because when you think of AEW, they are some of the faces that come to mind immediately. You know, they're synonymous with the company.

"So it's kind of like, you walk into prison, and you go, and you fight the biggest guy. They might not be the biggest guys, but they have a lot of name value. All Elite Wrestling

"Name value.  It's very, very important in this game. So once we leave them in a pile, we'll move on to the next thing." 

All Elite Wrestling

Next for them could be AEW Dynasty. Because after tasting defeat to Cassidy, Allin and Roderick Strong at AEW Revolution, the War Dogs are out for a receipt. 

And although they are yet to be added to what already is a stacked card, Finaly has hinted that he and his boys will still be part of the show on Sunday and urges fans to tune in. 

Adding, "You know, you're going to see some crazy wrestling. "You're going to see some things you're not going to see anywhere else on TV.  

"And as far as The Dogs are concerned, whether we have a match or not, somebody will be getting laid out and put into the ground." 

 

How to watch AEW Dynasty on DAZN 

AEW Dynasty is available to buy and watch as a PPV event.

The one-off cost for this PPV is £19.99 in the UK, $49.99 in the US, $39.99 in Canada, and €19.99 in Europe. Or watch as part of DAZN's Ultimate Tier subscription to avoid these one-off extra costs - see below for details.

You can watch via the DAZN App, available on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and web browsers.

If you do not have the app already, follow these instructions:

• Download the free DAZN App from your normal App store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device
• On a laptop or PC, visit www.DAZN.com/home
• Select 'Get started' or 'log in'
• Enter your email address, or sign up via the Apple, Google, or Facebook account options
• You then have access to all of DAZN's free content, including NCAA games, the Matchroom boxing channel, and FIFA+
• Then find the AEW page and select 'buy now'

Follow this link to buy now.